The Heidi Arnhold Interview

Park and Barb Stuff: Did you ever feel like previews are great, but you wish they’d stick them at the end of the movie so you could get on with the show? I’m going to try that—I’ve moved the usual Park and Barb stuff that I open with down to the bottom. Now, on with our story (yes, on with our story):

At San Diego, since Barb didn’t go with me, I was, at one point, hanging around the Tokyopop booth, looking to get pics of some of the editors who work with Barb (see previous column http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/pb/118374016275069.htm), and I happened upon some young people sitting at a table drawing. After my first thought, which was “wow, wonder who they had to kill to get to sit in chairs and at a table back here,” I noticed that the young person whose work I could most easily see because she was closest to where I was standing was actually quite good, and that they must all be professionals (working so hard on deadlines that they didn’t stop drawing even while at the Con).

Well that wasn’t quite on-target, but when I introduced myself I found that it was partially correct: the young woman in question was Heidi Arnhold, artist on the upcoming Tokyopop manga _Legends of The Dark Crystal: The Garthim Wars_. It's the first volume of a planned 3-volume arc, although it may turn out to be more than a 3-volume series-- it's just the first arc, written by Barbara Randall Kesel and toned by Jessica Feinberg, that's 3 volumes.

Park Cooper: So The Dark Crystal is all done? The art I mean? Was it a 1-volume thing? Will there be another later? Do we know?

Heidi Arnhold: Yep! I’m all finished with my pencils and inks. There should be a series of three books when all is said and done.

PC: So they'll come get you for 2 and 3 later, is that it? When do you think Legends of The Dark Crystal volume 1 will see store shelves?

HA: Yeah, I’ve got about a month of down time before I start volume 2.

PC: Big fan of the movie, yourself? The Frouds and all that?

HA: The first volume should hit stores around November 13th. =) And yeah! I've always thought Froud's work was absolutely beautiful. To answer your question, I don't remember how old I was when I saw The Dark Crystal, but I was pretty young, and I didn't recall very much of it. I know that the Garthim scared me half to death; creatures with evil glowing eyes always petrified me at that age. Anyway, I got to refresh my memory when I watched it again to see if I wanted to be a part of the project, and I found that I really loved the environments and the creatures in their world. It looked like it would be a blast to draw, so I was thrilled when I was given the contract.

PC: D'you see the Labyrinth manga?

HA: Yep, I have it, because before I was hired, I was told to check out the preview of The Dark Crystal in the back of it.

PC: Preview?

HA: Yes, the original preview with the previous artist, Max Kim. He was no longer able to work on the project, and I was his replacement. They wanted me to check it out so I could see what they were looking for.

PC: So how did you get this job?

HA: I met Tim Beedle when I was a senior at Savannah College of Art and Design last year. We had a bunch of editors come down for editors’ day, and he seemed to like my work and gave me his card. I kept in touch with him off and on for the next few months, and then one day he asked me, "By the way, are you a fan of The Dark Crystal at all?" After that point, I sent him work over several months to see if he wanted to put me on the team. I redrew Skeksis over and over again, and eventually I sent him some sample pages.

PC: Uh huh...

HA: Anyway, he took those pages to his contact at The Jim Henson Company to see what they thought of them, and they decided to offer me the contract. It was really exciting… and I didn't regret leaving retail behind.

PC: Retail you say.

HA: Yeah, I was working at the UPS store for a while after I graduated to make ends meet. In the meantime, I kept in touch with Tim in hopes something would open up for me. It's funny, because I was really worried when I graduated that I wouldn't get a job (and there really is no guarantee that you'll be hired), and now that I look back, I feel really fortunate that I wasn't stuck in a job I hated for 5 years before I got my foot in the door.

PC: So, manga. When you were in school was it "I hope I get to draw manga"? Or is this an unexpected turn?

HA: Well, it was more or less, "I hope I get to draw comics". I just wanted to be involved with sequential art in some way or form...though I knew that my style was probably best suited for manga, so I made it a priority to see a TOKYOPOP editor when he/she came to my school every year.

PC: Okay.

HA: When I first came to school, my work was very heavily influenced by anime and manga. While that influence is still there, I know that there's more of my own personal style in it than there used to be.

PC: So you read comics I take it… and manga? What do you read?

HA: Ummm… oh boy... this'll be tough. I’m never good at remembering all the stuff I read... haha. Um, I used to read Sonic the Hedgehog quite often (that series made me want to draw comics in the first place), but I also love Invincible, Walking Dead, Priest, The Abandoned... etc. I have a bunch more I’m struggling to remember. I know I’ve read Ultimate Spiderman, haha… Oh, I’ve been reading Runaways, too… great comic.

PC: Any other manga? Just, like... what was the last stuff you bought most recently?

HA: The most recent manga I got was Undertown I think (It's an awesome book). To be honest, I don't buy manga or comics as often as I used to. I have trouble spending money on myself. At this point, if I were to buy a whole series worth of manga, it would be Priest.

PC: Do you think of yourself as a fangirl?

HA: I’d say in high school I was more of a fangirl. While I still get excited about comics/ manga and appreciate the art, I think I’ve calmed down a little bit.

PC: How about the anime? You big on that?

HA: I haven't had time to sit down and watch any anime for quite some time. It's kinda sad…heh. I’m waaaaay out of the loop. Although I have been reading Death Note (that's a BIG one I forgot to mention!); I love that series.

PC: GAAHHHHH! My wife was just reading volume 6 of Death Note!

HA: I’m on volume 6 too! Haha… I haven't picked it up since SDCC.

PC: We watched the movie… Barb and I disliked it as way too comic booky. The pacing and lack of closure were also frustrating.

HA: Oh yeah? A friend of mine absolutely loves it.

PC: But then we found that the local library had volumes 4, 5 and 6 as well…

HA: She loves the way they handled the Shinigami.

PC: …so we thought we'd try it. Much more satisfying than the live-action movie. We haven't tried the anime yet. As for the shinigami in the movie, sure, but no one should be expected to live on nothing but occasional cool special effects.

HA: I haven't seen the movie yet. I’m holding off on the anime. I’m pleased enough with the manga.

PC: No other anime for you that you can think of? If not it's fine…

HA: Not at all... really. Haha, how sad am I?

PC: I just love talking anime shop etc. If I’ve seen it. And manga, too. Okay then. Let's step back to comics…

HA: Yeah, I find I’ve gotten picky with anime these days.

PC: You're a female comics reader. I’m happy to be showcasing you, because the world can always use more proof that such exist in numbers…

HA: I’ve heard good things about Full Metal Alchemist... I may check that out when I have time. And when I don't have to put up with the dub. >.>

PC: --ah, dislike dub, do you? For us it depends on the company…

HA: Just the one on Cartoon Network. I can stand certain dubs... don’t get me wrong...

PC: I think the English for, say, FLCL or AZUMANGA DAIOH or EXCEL SAGA were done quite well… Naruto's good…

HA: Oh, the dubbing for Naruto on Cartoon Network KILLS me...haha.

PC: ONE PIECE, please go jump in the lake on the other hand—oh does it? Why?

HA: Haha, I agree with you there (One Piece).

PC: Is it so wrong? Naruto, I mean?

HA: Naruto's voice actor/actress grates on my ears a little too much.

PC: Voice-acting-translation wise? --Oh, her actual voice. Now that's another story.

HA: I don't watch Naruto, but when my boyfriend played the marathon on TV one day, I wanted Naruto dead.

PC: Tch. I understand and forgive you. It's not that big a problem for me, but I absolve you.

HA: Hahaha, it's not that I hate it… I just never got into it as much as everyone else.

PC: When I asked you more about the subject, I was worried about the quality of script adaptation more than the voice pitches. Okay back to comics. Got any opinions about females in comics? Do you read comics news sites? Do you care about the females + comics issues that float around lately?

HA: Such as?

PC: Spoiler/Stephanie Brown? Heroes for Hire vs. the tentacles cover? All the female characters that keep getting killed? Stuff like that?

HA: Hmmm… hang on, I’m looking up the tentacles cover. (Again, I am a little out of the loop on this stuff)

PC: Being unaware counts as a no… >arches eyebrow<

HA: Okay, heh... I feel badly that I can't talk about it is all.

PC: No problem. I want to give an accurate picture. >notes on clipboard: “Subject is not aware of the female controversies in comics today...”< There's such a thing as a casual reader, and I think now that you're out of high school, it's you.

HA: Hahahaha... yeah, that's me all right.

PC: There's nothing wrong with that. I think that the industry is going to have to factor in the casual reader more and more... Let's try another tack. Where do you buy your swag? Let's give a plug to your local store.

HA: Oxford Comics here in Atlanta. =)

PC: Unless you hate them in which case let's tar and feather your local store.

HA: Haha! They've done all right by me so far. One of my friends works there.

PC: I was talking to Barb yesterday about the old days when it was almost a given that a comic book store would alienate a female and make her feel out of place, and how that is surely changing… So I’m looking at you-- is your store old-school bad or 21st-century friendly? I know examples of good stores... stores that are clean, well-lit, smell pleasant, with friendly people and no noise pollution inside…

HA: Hmmm... I don't think I’ve ever felt out of place there before. I usually see other girls there as well, and a couple of their employees are female.

PC: Ah ha! Good signs, all.

HA: Very much so. They've got a great selection, too. I don't even know where to start looking whenever I go there.

PC: So we've established that you're now a casual reader… but how did you initially get into the fangirl lifestyle?

HA: Um, I was an anime addict in high school; that's where it all started. Back then it was almost like a competition between all of us to see who had seen the most stuff. I also started going to anime conventions and I even >gasp< cosplayed for a few years.

PC: Who were ya?

HA: Hahaha, my first costume I ever went to a con as was Mihoshi from Tenchi Muyo. My friends made me do it!

PC: Mm

Heidi: But I also cosplayed as Quistis from FF8 (I think), Peorth from Ah My Goddess, and Diana from Legend of Mana.

PC: Lord, Peorth. That's a little obscure of a choice. I VAGUELY remember Quistis… FF8 was where I started in the FFs…

HA: The only reason I chose her was because she had a haircut I liked…haha

PC: Ah

HA: She was the one in pink with the glasses and the strawberry blonde-ish hair.

PC: All I could see in my head just now was the glasses but yeah.

HA: Quistis, I mean. I had a pair of glasses, and people thought I played the part quite well. =)

PC: So you own a lot of anime/manga/comics?

HA: A fair amount. Granted, my collection is nothing compared to what my friends have. I only have maybe 10 dvds total... It sucks when you're poor…haha.

PC: How long has doing the first volume of The Dark Crystal taken?

HA: Um, well, the first chapter of the book was already completed by Max, and I started with his pencils for Chapter 2. I guess from inking Chapter 2 all the way through the end, I guess it took about 8 or 9 months.

PC: Was that hard for you?

HA: Yeah, I’d say it was... there was so much red tape when it came to hiring me, that we had a tight deadline from the get-go. When I was working on it the very last month, I started from 10 AM and worked until 2 AM… only to get up at 9 and start again. I couldn't afford the time for going out to dinner or movies, let alone a day off. However, the circumstances were unusual for this book; I don't anticipate that kind of schedule for Volume 2. Overall, it's been a big learning experience, and it's at least helped me with my speed. =)

PC: Well TOKYOPOP appreciates people who meet deadlines and don't flake.

HA: Hahaha, I’m really anal about deadlines. I was going to make it come hell or high water.

PC: See, that's professional. Do you hear horror stories about artists who flake? Because if not I can tell them to you.

HA: None in the industry. I don't know many in the industry yet, and those I do are really hardworking folks.

PC: Well you seem to have a pretty good life... steady work with more to look forward to (and less stressful), a casual female reader untouched by the comic book industry's worries of the modern day… hired not-crazy-long after finishing school...

HA: Yeah, I feel very fortunate about that.

PC: Do others just look up to you with love/jealousy in their huge teary eyes?

HA: A few...haha. My boyfriend is trying to break in the industry too, and I know it can be a little discouraging for him seeing me involved in it. Granted, he's really proud of me and tells me that I worked really hard and deserve it. Most of my friends are really excited. =)

PC: Do you have a yen to create your own comics/manga ever?

HA: I’ve got a story I’ve been sitting on for years, but I may do that in my own time… I looked up the Mary Jane figure controversy… I’ve actually seen that figure before. Honestly, I thought it was cute...

HA: Just saw the Heroes for Hire cover... I think it's hilarious!

PC: Try googling: maryjane statuette controversy… in any order

PC: But anyway I understand... some people got het up about it

PC: Okay, I think I had another question… oh we'll try this: DC Comics or Marvel? I’m gonna blow one up, which do you insist I keep? >finger hovers over red button< >or other red button<

HA: Hmmmm... I guess Marvel. Though, I do like Batman. Eeek!

PC: Okay, so it's all of Marvel vs. Batman... what's it gonna be... tick tick tick Heidi, who lives, who explodes?

HA: Hahaha... I’m gonna go with Marvel.

PC: KA-BOOOOM. Okay, why?

HA: I killed Batman! There's blood on my hands! Noooooooooo.....

PC: Batblood… they'll bring him back, no one with that many fans stays dead for long

HA: Why do I go with Marvel? --haha I’m sure--

PC: Yeah, why Marvel

HA: Hmmm.... I guess because of Spiderman. And Deadpool. >.>

PC: The quipping! You like the quipping! >points at Heidi<

HA: Hahaha.. I guess so.

PC: Okay and now why Batman-- I have a theory, so I wanna see what you say.

HA: Oh man… What's your theory? I wanna hear it before I surprise you.

PC: I think girls think Batman is hot.

HA: Okay, that's pretty close. But here's the thing. I thought Adam West was hot stuff when I was 5. I watched that show all the time.

PC: That counts as a point for me. Adam West counts as Batman.

HA: Yeah he does...most people make fun of my childhood crushes though.

PC: Not me. That was a hot show: three Catwomen and Batgirl, for starters…

HA: Haha, that's good.

PC: If they'd had Poison Ivy back then it would have had another season maybe.

HA: Also, I liked the animated series.

PC: Ah ha. Indeed.

HA: And Batman Beyond was pretty good too.

PC: See that also counts as why girls think Batman is hot-- Oh, I have no theories about Batman Beyond, though.

HA: I’m more about Bruce Wayne than his successor.

PC: Okay: you are going to take over the art on something… comics, manga... what'll it be? Batman? Who do you wanna get paid to draw?

HA: Hahaha... Sonic the Hedgehog. In order to fulfill my childhood dream. When I was in 7th grade, I sent Archie Comics a fan comic on notebook paper asking for a job. It wasn't one of my brighter moments. But yeah, if I had the opportunity to draw Batman, I’d be all over it.

PC: And Archie Comics didn't hire you?

HA: Of course not! Hahaha... it's not surprising. They sent me a letter thanking me for my submission and said they currently didn't have any positions open.

PC: If you'd been a big 7th grade name they would have hired you

HA: If only...haha

PC: They hired some kid in 1st grade last year because he did some writing for TV… only 6 years old, but he had a long resume…

HA: What?

PC: I’m kidding…

PC: …BUT I MADE YOU THINK

HA: Ooookay. Hahahaha I didn't know WHAT to think about that. XD

PC: Okay well this could go on and on but I think it's time for the lightning round. Favorite movie/music/novel GO!

HA: Watership Down. Without a doubt.

PC: I’m throwing in favorite video game GO! …WDown counts as novel and movie but not music

HA: Um, Sonic 3? Oh... I thought I could pick any one of those. Whoops! My music tastes are all over the map.

PC: Lightning round! Say the first stuff that comes to mind!

HA: And as for movie, I’d say Empire Strikes Back.

PC: Favorite website!

HA: Cuteoverload!

PC: Okay! All done!

After the interview, I found out that Heidi was also just contracted to illustrate one of the stories in the third volume of Tokyopop’s Star Trek manga. She's working from a script by Nate Bowden, a fellow SCAD graduate… I may have to talk to her again about that one of these days…

Next time: Eric Shanower and Age of Bronze. Most likely.

Atelier Marie and Elie -Zarlburg Alchemist- Volume 1

This new manga that's out now was the first adapted by Barb for Tokyopop... You know, someone does a literal translation of the Japanese-to-English, and then someone comes and rewrites it so you don't end up with 'All your base are belong to us.' Well, with Atelier Marie, that second someone was Barb, so please pick it up and enjoy it.

"Welcome to the Zarlburg Royal Magic Academy-- producers of the best alchemists in the world! When Marie, Zalburg's prodigal daughter and premier alchemist, returns to her alma mater after thrilling journeys in many foreign lands, she suddenly realizes things are not too exciting at home. But all that changes after running into fellow alchemist Elie, who has plans to open an alchemy workshop and become famous."

Barb enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, there's adventure, comedy, fantasy, all that stuff you like.

So please go to your local store or however you purchase things and get it. Enjoy!

http://www.panel2panel.com/gsg-archives.html
http://www.wickermanstudios.com
http://www.halfdeadcomic.com
http://www.comicspace.com/wickermanstudios

http://www.amazon.com/Atelier-Marie-Elie-Zarlburg-Alchemist/dp/1598165259

And you can now get Septagon Studios stuff online too, like this thing: SCORN

SCORN is now available for pre-order in a number of ways:
--Scorn 1 and 2 can be ordered directly from the Septagon Studios Web site
--e-mailing store@septagonstudios.com, especially if one is a retailer, because there are special benefits
--Scorn is also available through Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Scorn-1-Obsessed-Kevin-Moyers/dp/097396670X

http://www.amazon.com/Scorn-2-Rage-Kevin-Moyers/dp/0973966718